Anthony Joshua vs. Wilder: It Only Matters Because It Could Still Go Sideways

Anthony Joshua took care of business in Miami. He wore down Jake Paul, knocked him down repeatedly, and finished him in the sixth. Paul ended up with a broken jaw and a lot less to say. This outcome is more important for Netflix's earnings than for heavyweight rankings. In the boxing world, it just means Joshua should be fighting serious heavyweights again, not famous people with cameras.

The most recent fight that shows where Joshua stands is still the Dubois fight at Wembley. He was dropped early, his legs were gone, and he got stopped in five rounds because he tried to trade punches instead of playing it safe. Before that, the Ngannou knockout gave him a good moment, but it didn't fix his issues: backing straight up, panicking under pressure, and leaving his chin exposed after punching.

Wilder's "We Must Meet" Line—What Does It Really Mean?

Deontay Wilder saying, "We must meet," sounds like fate, but he's a 40-year-old who hasn't been doing great since 2020. He had a warm-up fight against Tyrrell Herndon that people are calling a comeback. The Herndon fight was like practice under the lights. Wilder knocked down a willing opponent twice, got some rounds in, and showed that his right hand still has power when the other guy isn't punching back hard.

That quote is less about destiny and more about a guy looking for one last big payday while he's still famous. "We're both still in this business" means we both still sell tickets, not that we're the best in the division. Any trainer would hear desperation, not confidence, in that.

What Could Go Wrong for Joshua?

Joshua has always struggled with what Wilder does best: throwing long, quick right hands off balance. Joshua likes things neat—jab, jab, right hand, repeat. When things get messy, he tends to freeze, plant his feet, and try to trade instead of getting out of there. That's when Wilder's right hand lands.

The Dubois loss showed Joshua still can't handle tough moments. He got hurt early, never recovered his legs, and tried to stand his ground when he should have been clinching and slowing the fight down. Against Wilder, one mistake like that—hanging around too long to prove a point—could turn a fight he's winning into a knockout loss.

What's the Real Threat Wilder Poses Now?

Even past his prime, Wilder's threat is simple: he can lose every round and still win with one right hand if he can trick you into getting too aggressive. The Herndon fight showed his timing isn't gone completely. He still found his range when the other guy slowed down, and he didn't need many clean shots to get the stoppage.

The real danger for Joshua is staying focused, not physical damage. He could be boxing well, winning rounds, then get impatient and throw one too many punches because he's tired of just jabbing. Wilder's plan is based on that mistake—a slow fight, not many punches, then a sudden right hand when you lose focus.

What This Fight Reveals, Not Proves

Joshua vs. Wilder in 2026 won't decide any big debates about who is the best. Fury, Usyk, and Dubois have already done that. It will show if Joshua can last twelve rounds without losing his head when facing real power again and if Wilder has enough left to create a chance to win, not just throw wild punches from too far away.

It also shows how both guys handle risk when there's no title on the line, just money and respect. Without any pressure from boxing organisations, you see who's still willing to risk getting hit just for the thrill of it and a paycheck.

Business, Timing, and What's Possible

Usyk holding the belts means this fight is just for entertainment. No one is forcing it; there's no deadline, it just depends on whether the Saudis or an American TV network thinks people will pay to watch. The Paul numbers—33 million viewers on Netflix—give Joshua power. His team can say they don't need Wilder to sell tickets.

For Wilder, Joshua is the biggest money fight left. Usyk would be a risky fight with less reward, and the other heavyweights don't bring in as much money. That's why he says, I'll almost definitely fight Joshua. It's not about dreams; it's about money.

If It Goes Wrong

If Joshua fights Wilder and gets knocked out or badly hurt, he'll stop being seen as someone who can win titles again. He'll just be a famous name for exhibition fights and for young fighters to beat. Another bad loss after the Dubois fight would tell every heavyweight that if you can make Joshua think and punch at the same time, he'll fall apart.

If it goes wrong for Wilder—if Joshua beats him easily or finishes him late—the idea that he's always one punch away from winning will disappear. He'll become a memory, appearing in highlight reels and as a guest of honour, not a live threat. Either way, this fight won't rebuild careers. It will end one for good.